Jan 22 (PSL) Thai Govt says that it is expecting to assist for the development of Sri Lanka�s agriculture sector through many new programmes. This was revealed to the President by Thai Ambassador to SL Ms Chulamanee Chartsuwan when she met with President Maithripala Sirisena at the President�s Official Residence, yesterday. The Thai Ambassador further said that this cooperation will be implemented more..

Jan 22 (AD) Postal voting for the upcoming LG elections commenced today at 9 am in Election Offices, District Secretariats and Police stations. Public sector employees whose applications for postal voting have been accepted can cast their postal votes today from 9 am to 4 pm, according to the Election Commission. In addition, postal voting for employees at other govt institutions including educational offices, more..

Jan 22 (SL) The TMVP led by Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, is contesting the LG elections in a bid to regain lost ground in the political arena. TMVP spokesman Azath Maulana said the TMVP will be contesting the LG polls in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Amapara. TMVP says the main focus of the party will be Batticaloa, an area it once dominated politically when Mahinda Rajapaksa was President. more..

Jan 22 (AD) The 58 arrested persons arrested during the Kataragama incident were taken before Tissamaharama Magistrate who released them on bail. 58 persons including 13 women were arrested yesterday (21) as police fired tear gas to disperse violent protesters in Kataragama. Police officials from Kataragama gunned down a motorcyclist that refused an order to stop for inspection upon suspicious activity. more..

Jan 22 (DM) Latest maps developed by the NBRO on a scale of 1:10,000 show more than 80% of the entire region of the Badulla District was under the risk of earth-slips, Badulla District Secretary Nimal Abesiri said. �It also reveals 6,000 families and 160,000 building constructions in the area facing the risk of earth slips,� Abesiri said. He said the volume of dynamites exploded in the district in a single year surpassed the volume of dynamites exploded during the 30 year-war. more..

Jan 22 (FT) The nominal market in which workers find paying work, employers find willing workers, and wage rates are determined is defined as the labour market. Labour market outcomes result from a combination of the demand for labour by firms and the labour that workers supply. Firms are the focus of trying to understand labour demand, whilst workers are the focus of trying to understand labour supply. Holistic understanding of the current supply and demand for skills is required to more..

Jan 22 (EN) Sri Lanka bonds yield moved up while stocks opened lower after an apparent presidential threat to take-over economic management the prime minister's party which was played down by a member of his party, dealers said. Bond yields were quoted around 20 basis points higher in early Monday as markets participants sought more information on a statement by the President that he would take-over economic management from the PM's UNP. more..

Jan 22 (AD) Reports of the Bond Commission and PRECIFAC will be presented to the parliament tomorrow said Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala. A special party leaders� meeting was held today at the parliamentary complex regarding the decisions on further action on the recommendations of PCoI report. Meeting headed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya commenced at 9.30 am today, it is reported. Reports of Bond Commission and PRECIFAC have been handed over to more..

Jan 22 (DM) Senior Additional Solicitor General Dappula de Livera, who investigated the CB bond scam along with others, had been sidelined from initiating legal action based on recommendations by the Presidential Commission regarding the fraud, sources said. Despite him being the senior-most-official in the Criminal Division of AG�s Department, he had not been assigned to the task of proceeding with legal action as more..

Jan 22 (CT) Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya PC stating that SL has sufficient laws to deal with those who find shelter abroad to escape punishment for illegal activities committed in the island specifically pointed out that former CB Governor, Arjuna Mahendran who is presently domiciled in Singapore could be arrested over the alleged Bond scam issue. The AG said that there was intense speculation that Arjuna Mahendran could not be arrested as he was not a SL citizen more..

Jan 22 (DN) "Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (PPJ) is the only political party contesting the forthcoming local govt elections without the picture of its leader on its election literature. The party is displaying the picture of Mahinda Rajapaksa instead, Minister and UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said. He was addressing an election rally held at the Angunukolapelessa Town Hall on January 20 in support of UPFA candidates contesting the Angunukolapelessa PS election. more..

Jan 22 (DM) The Govt had given the green light for the Joint Venture formed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and China Merchants Group to start up several projects in Hambantota, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said during an election rally. "The new company, formed by the SLPA and China Merchants Group, wants to set up an oil refinery, a dockyard, a steel factory. We have told the company to go-ahead,� more..

Jan 22 (NR) The govt has condemned the recent attack by gunmen on a luxury hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan in which 18 persons were killed. Fourteen foreigners were confirmed dead, along with four Afghans in the attack. The interior ministry said some 160 people were rescued after Afghan troops fought throughout the night to regain control of the building. Three attackers were also killed in the siege while ten people, including four civilians, were injured. more..

Jan 22 (EN) Sri Lanka can manage a peak in domestic debt maturities in 2018 with a buffer build during the last few months, Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said. "The peak in domestic debt is this year," he told participants of an economic forum on Monday. But have been able to build a buffer of about 110 billion rupees (US$ 728 million) in the last four five months of the 2017, where there were no maturities and we used that to go to the market and raise some money. more..

Jan 22 (EN) Steep price cuts of Kerosene (paraffin) by ex-Finance Minister Ravi Karunayake has encouraged adulteration of more expensive distillates and greater industrial use of the fuel, which state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is now scrambling to counter. In the latest move, CPC has ordered fuel distributors to stop selling kerosene in bulk or to large containers. CPC is selling kerosene a 30 rupee loss per litre, statement said. more..

Jan 22 (DM) Vehicle movement will be restricted in several roads between BIA and Colombo due to the 3-day official visit of the Singaporean Prime Minister. Police said the visiting Premier is scheduled to arrive at the BIA at around 4.10 pm today and is to travel across the Kelani Bridge, Baseline Road, Bandaranaike Junction, Orugodawatta Junction, Ingram Junction, Borella Junction, D.S. Senanayaka Junction and then on to Horton Place, Horton Roundabout, Ananda Kumaraswami more..

Jan 22 (DM) IUSF would hold a massive campaign in Colombo against the Govt�s failure to implement the promise to abolish SAITM. Convener of the Federation Lahiru Weerasekara said that Govt has ignored the election promises given in the General Elections and the Presidential election had now resorted to a series of election promises in a bid to win LG elections. �Govt had taken steps to privatise medical services, education and to implement a plan to sell State Owned Enterprises (SOE) more..

Jan 22 (DM) Maskeliya Police had requested the Commissioner General of Archaeology to conduct an archeological survey into a second set of footprints found on a rock located in a tea estate that lies in close proximity to the Sri Paada mountain range.This discovery comes in the wake of another set of footprints a a location nearby. A group of estate workers had come across the foot prints which were said to be embedded more..

Jan 22 (DM) Two ancient Buddha statues, three copper caskets, and three conch shells that had allegedly been dug up from a treasure in Mahakanadarawa Forest Reserve in Mihintale had been seized by Anuradhapura Police during a raid in the forest reserve. �However two treasure hunters left the bag containing the artefacts and fled the scene. Police gave chase to arrest them but to no avail,� the officer said. One of the statues was about five inches in height and weighed 1 kg. more..

Jan 22 (NR) Sri Lanka has been ranked 40th among emerging economies on an Inclusive Development Index. The World Economic Forum issued its annual Inclusive Development Index today before the start of its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The index takes into account the living standards, environmental sustainability and protection of future generations from further indebtedness. The index has recognised 30 advanced economies and 77 emerging economies. more..

Jan 22 (EN) Nationwide inflation in Sri Lanka, as measured by the change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), slowed to 7.3% in Dec 2017, the lowest in four months, from 8.4% in Nov 2017. The decrease in the NCPI, which is compiled by Dept of Census and Statistics, was due to the high base that prevailed in Dec 2016. NCPI measured on an annual average basis increased from 7.5% in Nov 2017 to 7.7% in Dec 2017. more..

Jan 22 (NR) The Ministry of Finance says reports that claim the government has increased the tax on Maldive Fish and other essential goods are false. Issuing a statement, the Finance Ministry said certain groups are making false statements over the gazette issued on the 18th of January, extending the period to implement the tax on special commodities. Ministry claimed the gazette was issued only to extend the time period to implement the tax on special commodities. more..

Jan 22 (AD) A group of parents staged a protest march today against the incident in which the Principal of Tamil Girls� Maha Vidyalaya, Badulla was allegedly made to kneel down by the Uva Chief Minister. The march began in front of the school and proceeded towards Badulla town. A letter was handed over to the Governor by the protestors. Meanwhile the Ceylon Teachers� Union (CTU) says that a series of island-wide protests will be organized if Uva Chief Minister is not arrested more..

Jan 22 (LT) This local govt has become one that changes the direction of politics in the country and the party that rules the country need not be brought to power in the local govt council to develop it says General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva. He said this at a rally held at Koggala to affirm the victory of the JVP candidates contesting the Ambalangoda PS. He said, �At LG election this time people representing more..

Jan 22 (CT) The injury concerns seem to be on the rise for the touring Sri Lanka side in Bangladesh. The islanders are currently in Bangladesh for a full tour. Prior to the Tests and T20Is, they are currently engaged in the ODI tri-series that has Bangladesh and Zimbabwe as the other two teams. Much to the disappointment of the Sri Lankan fans, the team has been jolted with yet another injury concern. One of the promising batsmen in their top order, Kusal Perera has been ruled out more..

Jan 22 (NR) Supreme Court has issued an order to produce the video tapes pertaining to the case filed against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake on charges of Contempt of Court. The order was issued by a trial-at-bar when the case was taken up for hearing today. Additional Solicitor General representing the Attorney General said the video tapes have been submitted to the AG�s Department and to the SC. Additional Solicitor General also said he would make arrangements to more..

Jan 22 (CT) Sri Lankan professionals claim that they are yet to see a Draft of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be signed between Sri Lanka and Singapore, although the Govt claims that it had received their approval. They warned that the basic legal framework has to be prepared prior to signing such an agreement. If not, Sri Lanka will have to face a number of serious problems. more..

Jan 23 (CT) President Maithripala Sirisena�s application to the Supreme Court to obtain its opinion on the length of his term came as a surprise to the general public, and evidently to most in the govt. The bid for an extended term was generally viewed as a violation of his commitments, due to 19th Amendment, which reduced the presidential term from 6 to 5 years, being passed with his approval. However, the presidency is the main source of the SLFP�s power within the govt. more..

Jan 23 (CT) The assault on 20 Dec. on Manjula Pathmanathan, intending ITAK Puthukudiyiruppu candidate, shows men feeling threatened by the women�s quota. Fissures have emerged in the ITAK that has, by and large, held up high standards in election campaigning with hardly a complaint against it. To ITAK�s credit, complaints on the incident have been initiated by two of its own MPs and supporters. Likewise, on 4 Jan. at Selvaa Nagar, a woman candidate of Karuna Amman�s Tamil People�s more..

Jan 23 (SO) Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa spoke on some crucial issues, including the party decision on fielding President Maithripala Sirisena as the party�s presidential candidate at the next presidential elections, announcement of the JO on fielding former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate, the importance of the upcoming LG polls and financial losses incurred by the country more..

Jan 23 (ST) Improvement of the current account of the balance of payments is vital to strengthen the country�s external finances to enable repayment of the massive foreign debt repayment in 2019. Alternatively, further foreign borrowing to repay debt would increase future foreign debt liabilities. What are the prospects of a substantial surplus in the current account of the balance of payments (BOP) in 2018? Current account of the BOP consists of the trade balance, service receipts and more..

Jan 23 (ST) Members of that edifice by the Diyawanna Oya met the other day to exchange views on the much-awaited Bond Commission � to employ a convenient abbreviation � report. But instead of exchanging opinion some decided to exchange blows. How like politicians who have much on their minds and little in their heads. It was not like that famous gun fight at the OK Corral which ended with much work for the mortician. Still, video cameras appear to have captured scenes of more..

Jan 23 (GV) Does a president�s responsibility to protect the nation empower him to impose travel restrictions on specific countries? In a case dubbed as a major examination of presidential powers, the US Supreme Court is to consider the matter and give a ruling by June. If that ruling goes against Donald Trump, he will inundate the twitterscape with pre-dawn ravings. But there is no doubt he will abide by the ruling. more..

Jan 23 (DN) It has almost been three-and-a-half years since the Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) was dissolved; longer than the other local government bodies in the island. But those who expect some excitement among the local populace of the possibility of finally having an election would be disappointed. "There was not much pressure to hold the elections in these areas; we did not have the opposition parties pushing for it here," noted Researcher Dr Muttukrishna Sarvananthan. more..

Jan 23 (DN) Dance World Studio recently made a journey of epic proportions when they made the trip to Dance Excellence 2017 in Los Angeles. It is an award winning studio in Sri Lanka. These outstanding individuals have certainly made their country proud. An event was held last week to honor these students and appreciate their commitment and dedication to this studio that they love. It was attended by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. �DANCEWORLD was also invited to more..

Jan 23 (FT) UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has committed to a new five-year country support program from 2018 to 2022. The new program framework was signed by Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake on behalf of the Govt of SL, and FAO Representative Nina Brandstrup. The framework is a tool used by FAO and the Govt to define the priorities of FAO�s assistance to Sri Lanka. FAO said the new Country Program Framework is aligned with the Govt of SL more..

Jan 23 (Island) Yes. The spirits of cheer, when taken excessively can lead to the wrong spirit in the mind; anger, confusion, hatred, vengeance and so on and so forth. Indulgence in them regularly can lead one to addiction and disease, even decay and eventual destruction of one�s life and family. I don�t think that there are many out there, who wouldn�t agree with me on this. The fact is the above applies to both men and women. They are completely gender-unrelated phenomena more..

Jan 23 (Island) Constantly heckled by the British tabloids for being overweight, Andrew Flintoff�s blissful moment came on a tour of New Zealand in 2002 as his stunning hundred set up a win in the first Test in Christchurch. The knock contained 23 fours and 3 sixes and at the post match press conference, touring journalists started comparisons with England�s greatest all-rounder Sir Ian Botham. more..